Mesocarp cell division and expansion in the growth of olive fruits

Trabajo presentado en el III International Symposium on Olive Growing, celebrado en Chania, Crete (Grecia) el 22 de septiembre de 1997.Mesocarp cell development was studied in relation to seasonal fruit growth patterns and oil accumulation for 'Picual' olive fruits under irrigated and dry-land conditions. Image analysis was used to determine cell number, cell size and mesocarp area in transverse sections from the central portion of the fruit. At flowering the mesocarp has 12% of its final cell number and less than 5% of its final size. Approximately 80% of mesocarp cells are produced in the first two months of growth, when fruit diameter growth rate is maximum, and 20% between this time and fruit maturity. Cell expansion is high throughout fruit growth, with final cell area at maturity more than double than at 2 months. Water availability affected the seasonal pattern of fruit growth.Peer reviewe